What is the most important thing? We want to help our neighbor, feed the hungry, clothe the poor and protect the animals. Even more we want to raise our children in a safe and productive environment, we want to care for the sick and elderly. When we have guests we want to serve, we care about what people think of us, we want our boss to be pleased with our work, all these things are important.

Let’s read the story of Martha, Luke 10:38-42

v38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. v39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. v40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. v41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: v42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

What choice did Mary make? She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word. Thank God we have His Word! We have Jesus right here in our house, quick and powerful, giving His Word, His Life, His Light, His Love. All we have to do is go in there and sit at His feet and hear His Word. Be like Mary and choose that good part. We can all relate to Martha, it may seem that some things are important but, “One thing is needful”

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Alright, hear the Word and be a doer. Everything in the Word is important, but what is the most important thing? Consider this; after Jesus rose from the grave and before He was carried up into Heaven, He appeared to the disciples, saying;

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

In John Chapter 21, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, three times in a row. Remember this was after Peter denied Him three times. The Jewish culture in this context is amazing! Jesus prepared a meal, this is an act of reconciliation, knowing that Peter was unable to forgive himself for what he had done, Jesus was thoroughly allowing Peter to accept forgiveness by saying “Yes Jesus I love you” three times and Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep, three times.

Mark 16:16  “but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Imagine the horror of eternal damnation for anyone, now imagine knowing that you could have done something to save them. If we deal with the gravity of this we will know what is the most important thing.

For the Harvest,

Edwin L. Miears